Accutane and Psychiatric Problems

by Cory Evans

Accutane is a member of the drug class called retinoids, which have been shown to affect the way the body reads genes. Use of the drug while expecting a child is known to damage fetuses and reduce the quantity of brain cells that they produce. This is why cautions are taken to ensure that female who are pregnant or who may become pregnant do not use the drug. However, recent studies suggest that brain-cell generation may be equally important in adolescents and adults. Researchers at the University of Baths and the University of Texas in Austin express Accutane can also interfere with the body's synthesis of the mood hormone serotonin.

While experience from the more than 13 million consumers of Accutane worldwide shows that only 5 to 10 percent experience from side effects, retinoids have also been involved in connections to Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia, so doctors are eager to know how the drug works.

Depression Linked to Acne Treatment

Acne treatment with the drug isotretinoin (Accutane) has been involved in an increase in feelings of depression among adolescent users, and while the link has never been proven, researchers have collected evidence through an animal study.

Although scientist Dr. Sarah Bailey noted that it is not possible to ask a mouse if it is depressed, its behaviour can be analyzed and modeled through two tests. The first includes causing the adolescent mice to experience stress by forcing it to swim, while the second produces stress by suspending the mice by its tail.

Acne Cure Tested for Side Effects

Usually, a mouse will swim, climb and struggle, and only periodically stop in a period of resignation. A depressed mouse will remain in its resigned phase longer than one that is healthy. The mice given human-equivalent doses of Accutane tended to show increased depression-related behavior.

Accutane producer Roche says, "While no causal relationship has been demonstrated between Accutane and either depression or suicide, we are constantly monitoring all available safety databases on Accutane worldwide." However, the World Health Organization has confirmed 720 cases of psychiatric complications linked to the administration of Accutane, including 84 suicides and suicide attempts.

The allegation that isotretinoin promoted depression and suicide has won a few lawsuits, and is partially responsible for the severe control of the drug, especially in the US. Several case reports of depression, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and suicide in patients treated with the acne skin care isotretinoin have been reported to the U.S. FDA Adverse Events Reporting System, with 431 cases reported between 1982 and May 2001 - of these 37 patients had committed suicide.

Idiosyncratic Effects From Acne Skin Care

Studies have demonstrated that patients with acne, the population group eligible to receive isotretinoin therapy, have an increased chance of clinical depression compared with the general population. Isotretinoin related depression is "an idiosyncratic side effect." Usually anxiety can bring on acne and depression, creating more anxiety. Correspondingly, treatment of severe acne with isotretinoin has been demonstrated to minimize anxiety and depression.

One study utilising positron emission tomography (PET) demonstrated functional brain imaging variations in patients using isotretinoin, however the clinical significance of this finding is unclear.

Acne can now be easily removed thanks to a biological skin care solution that includes one the best curing ingredients that Mother Nature can produce. The biological ingredients cure acne without side effects, and heal your skin in a smooth way.

Published March 6th, 2008

Filed in Teen